Hong Kong Travel Trade Manual

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Travel Tips
Currency
The legal tender is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), whose
exchange rate is roughly US$1=HK$7.80. Visitors are
advised to carry smaller denomination notes (bills) for
convenience. Currency and traveller’s cheques can be
changed at banks, hotels, and money changers. Money
changers must legally display rates of exchange, and
visitors should check rates and any additional fees
before transactions. For information on Hong Kong
banknotes and coins, please visit the Hong Kong
Monetary Authority's website at .
Banks
Major banks are usually open from 9am to 4:30pm,
Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturdays,
though some banks and branches may stay open
slightly longer. All banks are closed on Sundays and
public holidays. Be aware that certain banking services
are not available an hour before closing. Automated
Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found almost
everywhere. Online banking service is also commonly
used in town.
Hours of Business
Office hours vary, but are usually from 9am to 6pm
or longer on weekdays with lunch between 1pm and
2pm. Saturday is usually a half day (9am to 1pm). The
HKSAR government adopts a five-day workweek for
Hong Kong civil servants. Emergency and essential
services are not affected. Most shops are open daily
from 10am until 7pm with those in tourist areas staying
open as late as 10pm or 11pm.
Telecommunications
Most hotels offer standard International Direct Dial (IDD)
phone, internet and fax services, and coin-operated
phones (HK$1/5 minutes) and free internet access
can be found in many shops and public locations.
Emergency 999 calls are free, as are directory enquiries
1081 for English or 1083 for Cantonese. Mobile phones
using GSM 900, PCS 1800, CDMA and WCDMA can
be used in Hong Kong, and prepaid SIM cards can be
purchased for tri-band and dual-band phones at major
convenience stores.
Postal Services
Visitors can send domestic and international mail at
any local post offices throughout Hong Kong. They
are all closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and
public holidays. Speedpost, e-Post and parcel services
are also available. Postage stamps are available in
convenience stores. Most hotels also offer postal
facilities for guests’ letters and packages, and packing
service. Many shops and department stores will handle
packing and shipping of customers’ purchases.
Media
There is a wide range of English/Chinese daily
newspapers, as well as locally published international
newspapers, available at bookstores, hotels and some
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Practical Information